The BRC-Bond Dickinson Retail Employment Monitor Indicator measures changes and trends in retail sector employment over time. Data is analysed in monthly intervals and is collected on a quarterly basis.

The indicator is representative of large and small retailers, covering both food and non-food sectors. The sample includes data for over one million employees, representing over a third of the total retail labour market.

Data on employment trends will provide a vital entry into influencing Government thinking. During testing economic times the ability to quantify the impact on employment will further support BRC objectives of reducing regulatory burdens upon retailers.

It will provide the BRC with up to date robust data on employment trends which will play an essential role in our lobbying objectives for the National Minimum Wage. It will also enable the BRC to give an accurate representation of current trading conditions when submitting oral evidence to the Low Pay Commission prior to their decision making process in November 2009.

The indicator will also add to the wealth of economic data called upon by organisations such as the Bank of England and the Treasury. The BRC has regular meetings with the Bank of England in which data is relayed to the Monetary Policy Committee and used as evidence for interest rate decisions.